“Well,” she said, “there will be other times.”
My heart sank, but I had to be strong for her. “Yes, sweetheart. We’ll have lots of babies. As many as you want.”
She bit her lip. “I think I’d like one.” Then she beamed. “After this one.”
Her words took a moment to sink in. Then I smiled at her.
“Positive.” She held out the test stick showing two blue lines.
I stood with her in my arms and spun around the room. “This is the most wonderful news.” Then I sat down. “I’m so sorry. That can’t be good for the baby.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
“Damned right you will be. We’ll get the best prenatal care for you. I’ll have the best doctors in Denver flown in.”
She laughed. “There are many perfectly good obstetricians in Grand Junction.”
“This is so amazing, Melanie. I love you so much.”
She cupped my cheek. “I love you too, so much.”
* * *
A few days later, I sat with Talon in the visitation room at the prison, waiting for the guard to bring Larry Wade out to us. Talon was rigid, his face pale. I had told him on the way over that he didn’t have to do this, that if he found he couldn’t, it didn’t show any weakness on his part. But he was determined.
I opened my mouth to repeat my earlier words but then thought better of it. He clearly wanted to do this, no matter how difficult it was going to be for him.
He had seen photos of Larry but had never seen his face in person. Larry had always worn a mask during the time Talon was held prisoner.
I cleared my throat. The guard was bringing Larry toward us. “Here he comes, Tal.”
Talon nodded. No words. Not that I expected any.
Larry sat down with a plunk. “What do you want today, Steel?” He looked at Talon. “I see you’ve brought company. Who’s—” He stopped abruptly, eyeing Talon.
“This is my brother. Talon.”
Larry showed no emotion. Nothing at all. And I’d thought Simpson was the iceman.
“I’ll be right over there.” The guard gestured.
I nodded. I looked toward Talon, but he didn’t look like he had anything to say, at least not yet.
“You have anything to say?” I asked Larry.
“Why should I?”
“Just so we’re clear, you don’t talk to him,” I said to Larry. “He’ll talk if he wants to. If he doesn’t want to, he won’t.”
Talon was tense next to me. I squeezed his shoulder and then turned back toward Larry.
“I have a lot of questions for you today, Uncle Larry.”
“I’m sure I won’t have any answers for you.”
Talon stood abruptly and walked toward the door to the visiting area.
“Shit,” I said under my breath. I looked at Larry. “I’ll be right back.”